SAN FRANCISCO, CA - NOVEMBER 05: Will Kapp #22 of the California Golden Bears runs in for a touchdown against the Washington State Cougars at AT&T Park on November 5, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Every week, Joe Kapp sends his son Will an inspirational saying, relayed to him by his mother, Jennifer, through the magic of e-mail.

Last week's offering from the old Golden Bear: "The barefoot hunter will eat his meal, bones and all."

For those who know the elder Kapp, that makes perfect sense.

"They're awesome," Will said of his dad's cryptic missives.

Joe's Big Game message for his son had yet to arrive as of Tuesday, giving Will something to look forward to as Cal prepares to play No. 8 Stanford on Saturday night at Stanford Stadium.

This is fullback and special-teams ace Will Kapp's last Big Game as a Cal player, continuing a family tradition begun by his quarterback father more than a half century ago when he led the Bears to their last Rose Bowl appearance on Jan. 1, 1959.

Although Will Kapp had an excellent prep career at Los Gatos High School, he came to Cal in 2007 as a walk-on. He has been a consummate team player since then, doing whatever he's asked.

His career highlight came two weeks ago against Washington State when Kapp got the call on 4th-and-1 from the Cougars' 43-yard line in the third quarter. Coaches were hoping the fullback could slam forward for a yard to keep the drive going, but excellent blocking enabled Kapp to break through the line and dash unimpeded into the end zone for his first career touchdown.

Kapp celebrated wildly after the play, but probably no more so than his mother and father in the crowd at AT&T Park.

"Anytime the Bears cross the goal line, something happens to me," Joe Kapp said. "It felt good. Obviously, it was very special. He's worked real hard. He's gone from being a star in high school to finding his place in the stadium. Will plays football with a smile on his face."

The younger Kapp has started four games this season at fullback. His statistics are modest: six rushes for 63 yards, including the touchdown, one reception for 16 yards and 17 tackles on special teams.

As the son of the man who last led Cal to a Rose Bowl and later served as the head coach at his alma mater for five seasons (1982-86), Will Kapp grew up inculcated with Big Game lore. Now he's days away from his last Big Game as a player.

"I just can't wait," the younger Kapp said. "It's the most important game because it's this week's game. At the same time, you have a dark place in your heart for those guys. Because I grew up on it, been in this program for four years, you're going to have" feelings like that.

Kapp will graduate next month with a degree in American studies. Counting Stanford, Arizona State and a bowl game to be determined, he can look forward to receiving three more Kapp-isms from his father.

The son who plays the game with a smile on his face smiles as well when his father's words arrive. A linguist might puzzle over their meaning, but to the younger Kapp, they make perfect sense.